City to host open houses about Albert “Ray” Massey Park Playground future renovations

Press release from City of Gainesville
WHAT?
Open Houses
Albert Ray Massey (Westside) Park Playground design review
WHEN?
Saturday, Sept. 11
9-11 a.m.
–or–
Sunday, Sept. 12
3-5 p.m.
WHERE?
Albert Ray Massey Park
1001 NW 34th St.
Under the pavilion closest to the playground
The City of Gainesville’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department and the Wild Spaces & Public Places program invite you to attend an open house to review plans for future improvements at the Albert “Ray” Massey Park playground.
Inspired by the NW 8th Avenue Solar Walk, the space-themed playground will offer a wide variety of physical, social, and sensory play experiences for children of all ages and abilities. Fully accessible play surfacing and a colorful theme will boost imaginative play within the fully-fenced playground.
With the variety of side-by-side play experiences and opportunities, the Albert “Ray” Massey Playground will provide adventure as children investigate three themed play zones:
- Explore the large space station within the ‘Astronauts in Space’ play area, featuring an interconnected, fully accessible, ramping structure.
- Experience ‘Deep Space Travel’ through swings and spinners.
- Emerge into a realm of ‘Planetary Exploration’ full of sliding, spinning, and climbing among planet-like mounds.
The public is invited to review and comment on the designs by attending one of two on-site meetings held at the park’s playground pavilion. You may also review the plans online and submit your comments via email to waiteed@cityofgainesville.org, or by phone at 352-393-8187. Comments received by Sept. 10 will be incorporated into the open houses.
Construction of the park playground is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2022.
I have kids, and we occasionally visit West Side Park. The existing equipment seems fine. My property taxes are about $5000, but I guess this is an important “need?” Where do all the needs end? When we’re paying $1000 / month for utilities and 10000 for property taxes?
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